Valverde hat-trick gives Real Madrid 3-0 Champions League win over Man City
Al Jazeera
City will face huge task in next week’s second leg after Valverde inspires Madrid to a 3-0 rout at the Bernabeu.
Federico Valverde struck the first hat-trick of his career as Real Madrid swept aside Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, leaving the Premier League side with a daunting task ahead.
Pep Guardiola’s City side began brightly at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, but were caught out by Madrid’s pace on the break.
From a swift move following a goal kick, Thibaut Courtois released Valverde down the right, who rounded Gianluigi Donnarumma to open the scoring in the 20th minute.
The Uruguay international took on the responsibility of inspiring the record 15-time champion in the absence of injured stars Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
Seven minutes later, Vinicius Junior made a great run from the left and fed Valverde, who beat the offside trap and drilled home.
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